Lawmakers Introduce Bills Aimed At Bosltering Youth Vote

Lawmakers in both chambers of the California legislature are seeking to bolster the youth vote.

Two state Senators have proposed legislation that would require
at least one polling place on each University of California and
California State University campus.

They also seek to expand voting on community college
campuses.

Meanwhile, Democratic Assemblymember Kevin Mullin has proposed a
constitutional amendment that would allow 17-year-olds to vote in a
primary if they will turn 18 by the general election.

"We need to be thinking of elections in a full cycle
manner," says Mullin. "It's not just the general election,
it's the June primary as well, and primary turnouts are lower than
general elections, historically, the youth vote is
underrepresented."

The amendment would require a two-thirds vote in the
legislature and then voter approval.

Mullin says 20 other states already allow 17-year-olds to vote
in primaries or caucuses.